Standard Operating Procedure 16A Measuring Post-fire ...

FPM&RIS Guidelines for Ground Plot Measurement

SOP16A Measuring Forest Recovery (version 1) 1 of 14

Standard Operating Procedure 16A

Measuring Post-fire Forest Recovery (annual monitoring)

Overview

This SOP describes the tasks required to measure post-fire forest recovery. The SOP uses some procedures from other

SOPs to install and measure Ground Plots (SOP 13: Measuring a Large Tree Plot, SOP 14: Measuring Small Tree Plot,

SOP 15: Measuring Vegetation Quadrats and Small Tree Plot, SOP 16: Measuring Course Woody Debris and Stumps, SOP

17: Measuring Soil on Ground Plots). The order of procedures is important. The SOP provides an overall work flow for

conducting FPMRIS AND Post-fire Forest Recovery monitoring (years 1 and 6) and for conducting Post-fire Forest

Recovery monitoring only (years 2, 3, 4, 5).

Glossary of definitions

Charcoal: Lumps of black woody material visibly burnt

by fire, < 10cm in diameter or thickness in two cross-

sectional directions, but excluding fine ash of no clear

structure and other dark material which does not blacken

the fingers when rubbed.

Coarse Woody Debris (CWD): Dead woody material

substantially detached from the parent tree and in

contact with the ground, and which is ≥ 10 cm in

diameter in two cross-sectional directions. Comprises

large branches and logs, and includes charred material

retaining the above dimensions. It does not include cut or

uprooted trees that have been “hung up” on other trees:

these will be considered as tree stems.

Diameter at Breast Height (DBH): The stem diameter

of a tree measured at breast height. For the purpose of

ground plot measurement, diameter at breast height

implies diameter measured outside or over bark (dob).

On sloping ground breast height is measured on the uphill

side of the tree. See SOP13, Appendix 13.3, Figure 3 for

the procedure for conducting DBH measurements.

Epicormic Shoots: Shoots emerging from dormant buds along a branch or trunk of a tree usually in response to

stress factors such as fire, drought, physical injury.

Field Form: A data collection form for recording

measurements and other information. This form may be

in one of three formats: Hardcopy paper form; MS Excel

form, or MS Access Database.

Fine litter: Organic material that is detached and non-

suspended, and which is < 1 cm in diameter or thickness

in two cross-sectional directions. Comprises mostly leaf

litter, twigs and fine bark, tree/shrub fruit and tree/shrub

floral parts, but excludes charcoal. Can also include

fibrous peat that is predominantly formed of visible plant

material.

Fine litter composition: Indication of the percentage

contribution of fine litter types to the fine litter

percentage cover.

Juvenile: a plant that is not reproductively mature.

Large Tree Plot (LTP): ~0.04 ha circular plot within which detailed tree data and information is collected. The

Centre of the LTP is exactly coincident with the Sample

Point Location and the Sample Point Location Stake if the

Stake is NOT off-set from the Sample Point Location.

Life-stage: The series of changes in the growth and

development of an organism from its beginning as an

independent life form to its mature state in which

offspring are produced. The categories of interest are:

juvenile, mature and senescing.

Mature: a plant that is reproductively mature and shows

evidence of flowers, fruit or seed.

Medium litter: Organic (usually woody) material that is

substantially detached, and is either in contact with the

ground or completely suspended, and which is 1 – 10 cm

in diameter or thickness in two cross-sectional directions.

Comprises material such as small branches, thick bark,

tree/shrub fruits and fallen tree fern stems, but excludes

charcoal.

Medium litter composition: Indication of the

percentage contribution of medium litter types to the

medium litter percentage cover.

New recruits: Individual plants, not individual stems.

Post-fire Recovery Sample Point: Sample point on

public land forest affected by major wildfire in 2003,

2006, 2007 and 2009.

Post-fire Recovery Control Sample Point: Sample

point on public land forest not substantively disturbed by

wildfire or other disturbance since 1970, and used as a

control for a Post-fire Recovery Sample Point.

Rough bark: All bark with the exception of smooth bark

on Eucalypts.

Scorch Height: The maximum height to which the trunk

of a tree has been burnt.

Senescing: a plant that is dying. Include plants that are

completely dead if they can be identified.

Small tree: For measurement purposes, a tree with an

actual size less than 10 cm DBH but greater than 1.3 m in

height. This distinction is only for the purposes of

differentiating which observers will measure a particular

individual plant. It does not correspond with any Plant

Growth Form (which is concerned with the potential size

of a species).

Small Tree Plot (STP): 0.005 ha circular plot within which detailed small tree data and information is

collected. The Centre of the STP is exactly coincident with

the Sample Point Location and the Sample Point Location

Stake if the Stake is NOT off-set from the Sample Point

Location.

Tree: Any species with its Plant Growth Form listed in the

Flora Information System (FIS) as LT (Large Tree), T (Large Shrub to Medium Tree) or MT (Mallee Tree).

These Growth Form categories are based on potential size, not actual. Note that tree ferns are not considered



to be 'trees' in this classification. See SOP 14, Appendix 14.2 for list of all tree species.

Tree recruit: Any tree species less than 10 cm Diameter

at Breast Height and less than 1.3 m in height.

Woody Species: A plant with a lignified stem.

Equipment list

Binoculars

Calculator

Compass (1), preferably a sighting type

Clinometer

Clip board and pens

Diameter tape (1)

GPS

Field First Aid Kit

Field Forms

Field Notebook

Hand Lens (x 10 magnification)

Hypsometer

Knife, trowel or other digging tool

List of species classed as trees (= FIS codes LT, MT or T,

see Appendix 15.1)

Marking tape

Measuring tape (50m)

Minimum of 12 marker pegs (> 0.5 m long) to delineate

plot perimeter

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

Pig-tail stakes (4)

Plant identification aids

Plastic bags of various sizes, incl. zip-lock bags for plant

samples

Ruler

Sample Point Location Maps, Aerial Photos, location

instructions and slope adjustment data

Site species list (if site has been assessed before)

Species list for area or region

Spherical canopy densiometer

Square quadrat frame (1 m x 1 m internal) that can be

pulled apart for placement

Tape measure or a height pole extended horizontally to

3.99 m

Telescopic height measuring pole, capable of minimum 5

m extension

Tent peg or similar for securing tape measure

Tree tags

Wooden height pole 1.3 m in length

Procedures

The order of procedures is important and they have been

prioritised in order to minimise disturbance to any plot

prior to measurement. This SOP refers to procedures

from other SOPs to measure Ground Plots – however, all

measurement data and information should be recorded in

the Post-fire Recovery Form. Procedures that are

additional to or modifications of, those described in

another SOP are marked with an asterisk.

The Procedures in this SOP are divided into two sections.

Section 1 procedures should be used for installing and/or

measuring Post-fire Recovery Sample Points (and

associated Post-fire Recovery Control Sample Points),

plots and quadrat attributes in measurement years 1 and

6 only. Section 2 procedures should be used for

measuring Post-fire recovery attributes in years 2, 3, 4

and 5.

Procedures Section 1 – Measurement Years 1 & 6

Small Tree Plot

Record all data and information associated with these

procedures in the Post-fire Recovery Form (not the

Small Tree Plot Form)

Establish and measure Small Tree Plot: Follow all

procedures in SOP14: Measuring a Small Tree Plot to

establish and measure a Small Tree Plot. SOP 14

procedures: Mark out Small Tree Plot, Checking

Borderline trees, Identify and count each tree.

Vegetation Quadrats

Procedures which are additional to or modifications of

those described in SOP15: Measuring Vegetation

Quadrats, are marked with an asterisk.



Vegetation Quadrat Form)

Set out and place vegetation Quadrats: Follow the

procedures in SOP15: Measuring Vegetation

Quadrats to set and place vegetation quadrats (SOP

15 procedures: Set out quadrat marker points,

Setting up when line-of-sight is blocked, Applying

safety precautions, Placing a quadrat in the correct

position)

* Measure the maximum tree or shrub height: For each

quadrat, measure the maximum height of the tallest

living tree or shrub (if there are no trees) species <

10 cm DBH, rooted within or overhanging the

quadrat.

* Estimate the total projected foliage cover and woody

species cover: Estimate the proportion of each

quadrat covered by total projected foliage cover of all

live vascular plants < 1.3m in height, and the

proportion of each quadrat covered by live woody

species (trees and shrubs) < 1.3m in height.

Identify and record all understorey species within each

quadrat: Follow the procedure in SOP15: Measuring

Vegetation Quadrats to identify and record all

understorey species in each quadrat (SOP 15

procedure: Identify and record all understorey

species within quadrat).



* Estimate the percentage cover of ground: Follow the


Quadrats to estimate the proportion of each quadrat

covered by each ground cover parameter, including

fine litter and charcoal.

* Assess the composition of fine and medium litter: In

each quadrat, after estimating the percentage cover

of fine litter in the quadrat, make a visual

assessment and estimate the composition of that fine

litter cover by recording the proportion of the fine

litter that is composed of leaf litter, twigs, bark etc

(to the nearest 10% and summing to 100% of fine

litter cover). Repeat for medium litter components.

* Measure the fine litter depth: In each quadrat, at a

point 45° and 30cm from each corner, use a steel

ruler to measure the maximum depth (in cm and to

the nearest cm) from the soil surface to the top of

the fine litter.

* Identify and count the number of stems of new recruits

of woody species in the quadrat: In each quadrat, for

each woody species present, identify and count the

number of stems of new and live woody species

(trees and shrubs) recruits in the quadrat. Identify

and count only those woody species rooted within

the quadrat and not overhanging woody species

recruits.

* Assess the life-stage of woody plants: In each quadrat

for each woody species present, record its life-stage

using one or more of the following classes: juvenile

(J) – a plant that is not reproductively mature;

mature (M) a plant that is reproductively mature and

shows evidence of flowers fruit or seed; and,

senescing (S) – a plant that is senescing or dying,

including plants that are completely dead if they can

be identified.

Large Tree Plot


those described in SOP13: Measuring a Large Tree Plot,

are marked with an asterisk.


procedures in the Post-fire Recovery Form (not the Large

Tree Plot Form)

Establish and measure Large Tree Plot: Follow the

procedures in SOP13: Measuring a Large Tree Plot to

establish and measure a Large Tree Plot. SOP13

procedures: Mark out Large Tree Plot, Temporarily

Tag Trees, Check Borderline Trees, Assign Tree

Status, Assign Tree Species, Assign Tree Death

Cause, Assign Tree Crown Class, Assign Tree

Characteristics, Measure DBH, Measure Tree Height,

Measure the Heights of 5 other Trees across a range

of diameters, Set up for measuring Canopy Cover,

Measure Canopy Cover, Calculate Canopy Cover,

Tree canopy health, Define Assessable Crown,

Assess Epicormic Shoots, Assess tree crown

defoliation and dieback, Assess crown foliage density

and clumping, Assess foliage discolouration, Assess

Crown position.

* Identify the presence of stem scorch: For all tagged

trees, identify the presence of any visible stem

scorching > 0.5 m in height.

* Measure maximum rough bark height: For the 8 tree

height trees, measure the maximum height that the

rough bark extends up the stem of the tree. Refer to

the procedures in SOP13: Measure Tree Height to

measure the rough bark height.

* Measure maximum stem scorch height: For the 8 tree

height trees, measure the maximum height that

scorching extends up the stem of the tree. This can

be equal to the full tree height or the maximum

rough bark height. Refer to the procedures in SOP13:

Measure Tree Height to measure stem scorch height.

Coarse Woody Debris (CWD) and Stumps


those described in SOP16: Measuring Coarse Woody

Debris and Stumps, are marked with an asterisk.



Coarse Woody Debris and Stumps form)

Measure Coarse Woody Debris, Slash Piles and Stumps:

Follow all procedures in SOP16: Measuring Coarse

Woody Debris and Stumps.

* Measure the length and estimate the proportion of

charring of CWD: For each piece of coarse woody

debris in the large tree plot, measure the length and,

corresponding to the relevant level of decay or

structural change, assign one of the following three

classifications for proportion of charring:

1. None. 0% of surface area subject to charring;

2. Moderate. 1-50% of surface area subject to

charring;

3. Severe. >50% of surface area subject to charring.

See Appendix 16A.1 for figures demonstrating the

possible combinations of level of decay and/ or structural

change and proportion of charring.

Soil

For Post-fire recovery Sample Points that are being

installed (i.e. Plot location, large tree plot, small tree plot

etc. are being established and measured for the first

time) – follow all procedures in SOP17: Measuring Soil

under Tier 1 (and if necessary Tier 2) soil sampling.

Record all data and information in the Soil Sampling field

Form.

Procedures Section 2 – Measurement Years 2, 3, 4

and 5

Small Tree Plot





Small Tree Plot Form)

Establish and measure Small Tree Plot: Follow the

procedures in SOP14: Measuring a Small Tree Plot to

establish and measure a Small Tree Plot. SOP 14

procedures: Mark out Small Tree Plot, Checking

Borderline trees, Identify and count each tree.

Measuring Vegetation Quadrats


those described in SOP15: Measuring Vegetation

Quadrats, are marked with an asterisk.



Vegetation Quadrat Form)

Set out and place vegetation Quadrats: Follow the


Quadrats to set and place vegetation quadrats (SOP

15 procedures: Set out quadrat marker points,

Setting up when line-of-sight is blocked, Applying

safety precautions, Placing a quadrat in the correct

position)

* Measure the maximum tree or shrub height: For each

quadrat, measure the maximum height of the tallest

living tree or shrub (if there are no trees) species <

10 cm DBH, rooted within or overhanging the

quadrat.

* Estimate the total projected foliage cover and woody

species cover: Estimate the proportion of each

quadrat covered by total projected foliage cover of all

live vascular plants < 1.3m in height, and the

proportion of each quadrat covered by live woody

species (trees and shrubs) < 1.3m in height.

Record all understorey species in each quadrat: Follow

the procedure in SOP15: Measuring Vegetation

Quadrats to identify and record all understorey

species in each quadrat (SOP 15 procedure: Identify

and record all understorey species within quadrat).

* Estimate the percentage cover of ground: Follow the


Quadrats to estimate the proportion of each quadrat

covered by each ground cover parameter, including

fine litter and charcoal.

* Assess the composition of fine and medium litter: In

each quadrat, after estimating the percentage cover

of fine litter in the quadrat, make a visual

assessment and estimate the composition of that fine

litter cover by recording the proportion of the fine

litter that is composed of leaf litter, twigs, bark etc

(to the nearest 10% and summing to 100% of fine

litter cover). Repeat for medium litter components.

* Measure the fine litter depth: In each quadrat, at a

point 45° and 30cm from each corner, use a steel

ruler to measure the maximum depth (in cm and to

the nearest cm) from the soil surface to the top of

the fine litter.

* Count the number of stems of new recruits of woody

species in the quadrat: For each quadrat, identify

and count the number of new and live tree and shrub

(woody species) recruits in the quadrat. Identify and

count only those woody species rooted within the

quadrat and not overhanging woody species recruits.

* Assess the life-stage of woody plants: In each quadrat

for each woody species present, record its life-stage

using one or more of the following classes: juvenile

(J) – a plant that is not reproductively mature;

mature (M) a plant that is reproductively mature and

shows evidence of flowers fruit or seed; and,

senescing (S) – a plant that is senescing or dying,

including plants that are completely dead if they can

be identified.

Large Tree Plot


those described in SOP13: Measuring a Large Tree Plot,

are marked with an asterisk.


procedures in the Post-fire Recovery Form (not the Large

Tree Plot Form)

* Establish and measure Large Tree Plot: Follow selected

procedures in SOP13: Measuring a Large Tree Plot to

establish and measure a Large Tree Plot. SOP 13

procedures: Mark out Large Tree Plot, Temporarily

Tag Trees, Check Borderline Trees, Assign Tree

Status, Measure DBH, Measure Tree Height, Measure

the Heights of 5 other Trees across a range of

diameters, Set up for measuring Canopy Cover,

Measure Canopy Cover, Calculate Canopy Cover,

Assess Epicormic Shoots.

Coarse Woody Debris (CWD) without stumps


those described in SOP16: Measuring Coarse Woody

Debris and Stumps, are marked with an asterisk.



Coarse Woody Debris and Stumps Form)

* Measure Coarse Woody Debris: Follow procedures

relevant only to Coarse Woody Debris (and excluding

stumps) in SOP16: Measuring Coarse Woody Debris

and Stumps. SOP 16 Procedures: Identify all

individual pieces of CWD in the plot, Measure

diameter of each piece of CWD, Estimate the level of

decay of each piece of CWD, Measure the length of

each piece.



Data and information recording

The steps in this section of the SOP describe how and

where to record data and information using a hardcopy

(paper) format of the relevant forms. Digital (i.e. MS

Excel and MS Access) formats will allow Contractor Field

Crews to record information more efficiently, using drop

down lists and combination boxes under fields. These

instructions apply to both hardcopy and electronic

versions of the Form.

The order of the instructions for data and information

recording is divided into two sections as with the

Procedures. Section 1 instructions for recording

measurements are for plots and quadrat attributes for

year 1 and 6 only. Section 2 instructions for recording

measurements are for years 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The Post-Fire Recording Form is made up of individual

pages which correspond to the relevant SOP. Each page

is composed of a number of sections made up of tables

which contain a range of fields under which the data

entries are made.

Post-Fire Recovery Form Section 1 –

Recording Measurements for Years 1 & 6

Plot Identification

Complete the Identification section at the top of

each page in the Post-Fire Recovery Form: Fill in the

Sample Point Identification Code, Bioregion, Date,

the SOP version number, Contractor Company Name

and the Names of each Contractor Field Crew

member present, in the <Sample Point ID>,

<Bioregion>, <Date>, <SOP version> and

<Contractor Company> fields. Against each

<Field Crew Member #> fill in the Contractor

Field Crew member surname in the <Contractor

Field Crew Member Surname> field and first

name in the <Contractor Field Crew Member

First Name> field. The Contractor Field Crew

Leader should be the first name recorded in the

Identification section of each page in the form.

The crew member who enters information on the

form (i.e. the scribe) should check the box

<Scribe> next to their name.

Small Tree Plot

Record all tree species: In the Small Tree Count

section of the Small Tree Plot page in the Post-Fire

Recovery Form, record the name of each live species

and dead species in the <Species Name> field.

Unidentifiable species should be given a descriptive

name and recorded in <Tree Species>. Check the

<Temporary Name> box to mark this record as an

unidentified species that is temporarily named. The

temporary name can be re-used on the form each

time the same unknown plant is detected. Follow the

procedures outlined in SOP 20A: Plant Specimen

Collection and Identification Procedures to record

further information about this species on the Plant

Specimen Collection Form.

Record the number of all tree species: In the Small

Tree Count section, record the frequency of living

and dead trees in the <Live Count> and <Dead

Count> fields. Add the number of living and dead

trees for each species and record in the <Total>

field.

If there are no small trees within the Small Tree Plot,

check the box in the <No small trees present>

field so that an audit of the data will not confuse an

absence of data for a failure to assess the parameter.

Record any comments: Record any additional information

relating to the plot in the <Comments> field.

Complete the Field Form Check section at the bottom

of the page: The Contractor Field Crew Leader initials the <Team Leader Initials> field, enters the

date <Date checked> and writes down any

comments about data verification in the

<Comments> field.

Complete the Data Entry Check section at the

bottom of the page: The Field Crew member who

enters the data into the Working Database writes

their surname in the <Contractor Surname> field

and the date data entry was completed for the form

in <Date entered>.

Vegetation Quadrats

Record the maximum tree or shrub height: In the

Height and Total Projected Foliage and

Woody Species Cover section of the Vegetation

Quadrat page in the Post-Fire Recovery Form, record

the maximum height (in cm, to the nearest cm) of

the tallest living tree or shrub species for each

quadrat in the <Height of the tallest tree>

field.

Record total projected foliage cover and woody species

cover: For each quadrat, record the total projected foliage cover in the <% Total projected

foliage cover> field and woody species cover in

the <% Woody species cover> field.

Record all understorey species: In the Understorey

Species Count section, record the scientific

binomial name of every vascular (non-tree) and

every tree species less than 1.3 m in height for each

quadrat in the <Species name> field and the

frequency of each tree species corresponding to the

relevant species name. Understorey species in

quadrats do not include small trees being counted as

recruits.


name and recorded in <Species Name>. Check the

<Temp Name> box to mark this record as an

unidentified species that is temporarily named.

Record the percentage cover of ground parameters: In the Ground Cover section, record the percentage

ground cover to the nearest 1% for each quadrat.



Record the percentage cover of bare ground in <%

Bare ground>. Record the percentage cover of

rock in <% Rock>. Record the percentage cover of

mosses and liverworts in <% Mosses &

liverworts>. Record the percentage cover of

lichen in <% Lichen>. Record the percentage cover

of fine litter in <% Fine litter>. Record the

percentage cover of medium litter in <% Medium

litter>. Record the percentage cover of charcoal

in <% Charcoal>. Record the percentage cover of

other parameters in <% Other> and describe the

parameter in the <Other description> field.

Record the composition of medium and fine litter: In the Medium and Fine Litter Composition

section, record the percentage of both medium and

fine litter composed of the corresponding class of

component in the <Component Class> field.

Record the depth of fine litter: In the Fine Litter

Depth section, record the four measurements taken

for depth of fine litter (to the nearest cm).

Record the number of stems of new recruits of woody species: In the Woody Species New Recruit

section, record the scientific binomial name of every

new recruit of woody species for each quadrat in the

<Species name> field and note the number of

stems of new recruits of woody species adjacent to

the relevant species name. Record stem count for

those woody species rooted within the quadrat only

and not overhanging woody species recruits.





Record the life-stage of woody species: In the Woody

Species Life-Stages section, record the

scientific binomial name of all woody species for each

quadrat in the <Species Name> field, and record

the life-stage of each individual woody species using

(J) for juvenile plants, (M) for reproductively mature

plants, and (S) for senescing or dying plants adjacent

to the relevant species name.





Record any site related comments: Record any additional information relating to the plot in the <Comments>

field.

Complete the Field Form Check section at the bottom of

the page: The Contractor Field Crew Leader initials the <Team Leader Initials> field, enters the



<Comments> field.






in <Date entered>.

Large Tree Plot

Record LTP slope adjusted radius: On the Large Tree Plot

page in the Post-Fire Recovery Form, record the

slope adjusted LTP radius in the <Slope

Adjustment LTP Radius> field.

Tree Mensuration:

Enter the number of tagged trees in each quadrant: In the Tree Mensuration section of the Large Tree

Plot page in the Post-Fire Recovery Form, after

marking out quadrants and tagging trees, record the

tag codes of all tagged trees under the <Tree Tag

Code> field. Record the tree tag codes in ascending

order, starting with NE01…NE02 etc. followed by SE,

SW and NW tree tag codes.

Record the Tree Status of each tagged tree: In the Tree

Mensuration section, against the relevant tree tag

code, record each tree as either LS (Live Standing),

LF (Live Fallen) or DS (Dead Standing) in the <Tree

Status> field.

Record Tree Death: In the Tree Mensuration section,

against tagged trees recorded as Dead Standing (under <Tree Status>), record the probable cause

of death in the <Tree Death> field.

Record Tree Species: In the Tree Mensuration

section, against the relevant tree tag code, record

the tree species in the <Tree Species> field.





Record Tree Crown Class: In the Tree Mensuration


the crown class in the <Crown Class> field.

Record Tree Characteristics: In the Tree Mensuration

section, against the relevant tree tag code, check

one of more tree characteristics (e.g. bent over, near

dead, head out etc.) which best characterise and

describe the tagged tree and may be useful for

identifying the tree in the future.

Record the DBH of each tagged tree: In the Tree


code (recorded above) record the diameter (in cm, to

the nearest 0.1 cm) in the <DBH> field. Calculate

averages around branches and swellings prior to

recording the DBH.

Rank the DBH of each Live Standing tagged tree: In the Tree Mensuration section, rank the DBH in the

<DBH Rank> field of each Live Standing (under

<Tree Status>) tagged tree.

Record the height of the three largest DBH tagged trees: In the Tree Mensuration section, against the

relevant tree tag codes, record the heights (in cm, to



the nearest centimetre) of the three largest DBH

trees in the entire LTP in the <Tree Height> field

and check the box in the <3 Largest DBH> field.

Identify and record the heights of five other trees across

the range of diameters in the LTP: Check every nth number in the list of ranks under the <DBH Range

Five> field, and make a note of its tree tag number.

In the <Tree Height> field, record the heights of

the 5 selected trees.

Indicate presence of stem scorching on tagged trees: In the Tree Mensuration section, against the

relevant tree tag codes, check the boxes in the

<Stem Scorch > 0.5 m> field for those trees

where stem scorching is present at > 0.5 m in

height.

Record the maximum bark height of the 8 tree height trees: In the Tree Mensuration section, against

the relevant tree tag codes, record the maximum

rough bark heights of the 8 tree height trees in the

<Rough Bark Height> field. Record rough bark

height to the nearest 0.1 m, or height of 0 for trees

without bark.

Record the maximum scorch height of the 8 tree height trees: In the Tree Mensuration section, against

the relevant tree tag codes, record the maximum

scorch heights of the 8 tree height trees in the

<Scorch Height> field. Record scorch height to

the nearest 0.1 m, or height of 0 for trees without

scorch marks.

Tree Canopy Cover:

Record Observer Names: In the Tree Canopy Cover

section, fill in Observer 1’s name in the <Observer

Name> field and fill in Observer 2’s name in the

<Observer Name> field.

Record Canopy or Sky Count for each direction: In the Tree Canopy Cover section, record the count for

canopy or sky cover made by both Observer’s 1 and

2. When a Canopy Count is made, record the value

for each direction (north, east, south, west) in the

<Canopy Count> field and record a dash (-) in the

<Sky Count> field for the same direction. When a

Sky Count is made, record the value for each

direction (north, east, south, west) in the <Sky

Count> field and Canopy Count is calculated (= 96 –

Sky Count) and recorded in the <Canopy Count>

field for the same direction.

Calculate and record each Observer’s Subtotal: In the Tree Canopy Cover section, calculate the sum of

each observer’s <Canopy Counts> and enter in the

<Observer Subtotal> field.

Calculate and record the grand total Canopy Count: In the Tree Canopy Cover section, calculate the sum

of each observer’s subtotal and enter in the <Grand

Total Canopy Count> field.

Calculate and record the average Canopy Cover: In Tree

Canopy Cover section, calculate the average

canopy cover by multiplying the <Grand Total

Canopy Count> by 0.13 and enter it in the

<Average Canopy Cover %> field.

Tree Canopy Health:

Record the amount of epicormics present on each Height Tree: In the Tree Canopy Health section, enter

the percentage of epicormic shoots present on the

entire tree in 5% levels in the <Epicormics

Present> field.

Record the proportion of dieback present in each Height

Tree: In the Tree Canopy Health section, enter

the percentage of dieback observed in the entire tree

in 5% levels and record in the <Proportion of

Dieback> field.

Measure and record the length of dead top present in each Height Tree: In the Tree Canopy Health

section, enter the length of the dead top (in metres),

if present, in the <Length of Dead Top> field.

Record the amount of crown defoliated in each Height Tree: In the Tree Canopy Health section, identify

the percentage of crown defoliated in 5% levels and

record in the <Crown Defoliated> field.

Record the amount of canopy density in each Height

Tree: In the Tree Canopy Health section, identify

the percentage of canopy density in 5% levels and

record in the <Canopy Density> field.

Record the crown clumping score in each Height Tree: In

the Tree Canopy Health section, enter the crown

clumping code that best describes the tree in the

<Canopy Clumping Score> field.

Record the amount of crown discolouration in each

Height Tree: In the Tree Canopy Health section,

identify the percentage of crown discoloured in 5%

levels and record in the <Crown Discoloured>

field.

Record the position of the crown in each Height Tree: In


position code that best describes the crowns

relationship to its neighbouring tree in the <Crown

Position> field.

Record any comments: Identify any site specific variables making the site distinguishable in the Comments

section. Record any additional information relating to

the plot or plot surrounds that are individual to that

plot in this field.





<Comments> field.








in <Date entered>.

Course Woody Debris (CWD) and Stumps

Record LTP slope adjusted radius: On the Course Woody

Debris page in the Post-Fire Recovery Form, record

the slope adjusted LTP radius in the <Slope


Record the length and proportion of charring of each CWD piece: In the Coarse Woody Debris section,

enter the length for each separate piece of CWD

corresponding to the appropriate <Diameter

Class>, <Level of Decay or Structural

Change> and <Proportion of Charring>.

If there is no CWD, check the box in the <No Course

Woody Debris> field so that an audit of the data

will not confuse an absence of data for a failure to

assess the parameter.

Record the dimensions of any piles of slash and its average level of decay: In the Slash Pile section,

record in metres (to the nearest 0.1 m) the height of

the slash pile in the <Height> field, the width pile

in the <Width> field and the length of the slash pile

in the <Length> field. Record the average level of

decay of the slash pile in the <Decay Class> field.

If there is no pile of slash, check the box in the <No

Slash Pile Present> field so that an audit of

the data will not confuse an absence of data for a

failure to assess the parameter.

Record the height of each stump: In the Stumps section,

record the height of each stump in the field that

corresponds to the appropriate <Diameter Class>

and <Level of decay>.

If there are no stumps, check the box in the <No

Stumps Present> field so that an audit of the data









<Comments> field.

Complete the Data Entry Check section at the bottom

of the page: the Field Crew member who enters the

data into the Working Database writes their surname

in the <Contractor Surname> field and the date

data entry was completed for the form in <Date

entered>.

Soil

Check type of Soil Measurement Plot: On the Soil Page

page in the Post-Fire Recovery Form, check the box

next to either the <Tier 1 Plot> or the <Tier 2

Plot> field.

Record Slope and Large Soil Pit Distance from Sample

Point Location: Record the Slope in degrees and

Large Soil Pit Distance from the Sample Point

Location in metres in the <Slope> and <Large

Soil Pit Distance from Sample Point>

field.

Small Soil Pit:

Record Small Soil Pit Stone Fraction Weight: In the Small Soil Pit section of the Soil Field page in

the Post-Fire Recovery Form, record the stone

weights in grams against 25 mm and 5 mm in the

<Stone weight> field.

Check the Small Stone Sample: In the Small Soil Pit

section, check the box for the sample taken and

bagged in the <Small stone sample check>

field. Record any comments in the <Comments>

field.

Record Small Soil Pit Volume Estimate Measurements: In the Small Soil Pit Volume section, record – in

cm to the nearest cm – the measured distances from

the plank base to the base of the small soil pit, for

each of the four pit edges, the 12 other points and

the perimeter of the top and bottom.

Large Soil Pit:

Record Large Soil Pit Profile Photograph Details: In the Large Soil Pit Photographs section, record

the digital storage card code (SC code) for each

Large Soil Pit Profile photograph taken. Check the

photograph taken box against each photograph

taken and record any relevant comments for each

photograph (refer to SOP 10: Event Log Form:

Recording Plot Visit Details and Taking Photographs).

Record Large Soil Pit Profile Horizons Details: In the Large Soil Pit Horizons, starting at 1 (the

top horizon and working down) and working down,

record the codes which describe each soil profile

horizon (as shown in Appendix 17.2) in the

<Horizon description code> field. Against

each horizon code, record the upper and lower

horizon boundary depths in cm (to the nearest cm) –

in the <Upper boundary> and <Lower

boundary> fields.

Record Large Soil Pit Profile Horizons Colour Information: In the Large Soil Pit Horizons section,

against each horizon code, record the hue, value,

chroma and moisture codes for the horizon, in the

<Hue>, <Value>, <Chroma> and <Moisture>

fields.

Record Large Soil Pit Profile Horizons Mottle Information: In the Large Soil Pit Horizons, against each

horizon code, record the mottle abundance, size,

contrast and colour using codes from the Tables in



Appendix 17.3, in the <Abundance>, <Size>,

<Contrast>, <Colour> fields.

Record Large Soil Pit Profile Horizons Texture Information: In the Large Soil Pit Horizons

section, against each horizon code, record the

texture and texture qualification information using

codes from Tables in Appendix 17.3, in the

<Texture>, <Texture qualification>

fields.

Record Large Soil Pit Profile Horizons Coarse Fragments Information: In the Large Soil Pit Horizons

section, against each horizon code, record coarse

fragment abundance, size, shape, lithology, strength

and distribution using codes from Tables in Appendix

17.3, in the fields <Abundance>, <Size>,

<Shape>, <Lithology>, <Strength> and

<Distribution> fields.

Record Large Soil Pit Profile Horizons Structure Information: In the Large Soil Pit Horizons

section, against each horizon code, record grade, ped

size, pedality type, compound structure and fabric,

using codes from Tables in Appendix 17.3, in the

fields <Grade>, <Ped size>, <Pedality

type> <Compound structure> and <Fabric>

fields.

Record Large Soil Pit Profile Horizons Void Information: In the Large Soil Pit Horizons section, against

each horizon code, record cracks, pore abundance

and pore diameter information using codes from

Tables in Appendix 17.3, in the <Cracks>, <Pore

abundance> and <Pore diameter> fields.

Record Large Soil Pit Profile Horizons Pans Information: In the Large Soil Pit Horizons section,

against each horizon code, record presence or

absence of pans in the <Pan> field.

Record Large Soil Pit Profile Horizons Roots Information: In the Large Soil Pit Horizons section,

against each horizon code, record root size and

abundance information using codes from Tables in

Appendix 17.3 in the <Root size> and <Root

abundance> fields.

Check the Large Soil Pit Horizontal Core Samples: For each Large Soil Pit horizon, in the Large Soil Pit

Horizontal Cores section, record the horizon

code and against each, check the box for each

sample taken and bagged, in the <Horizontal

core sample check> field. Against each soil core

sample horizon, record any comments in the

<Comments> field.

Check the Large Soil Pit Vertical Core Samples: In the Large Soil Pit Vertical Core section,

against each Large Soil Pit vertical core depth (0 to

10 cm, 10 to 20 cm and 20 to 30 cm), check the box

for each sample extracted and bagged, in the

<Vertical core sample check> field. Against

each vertical soil core sample, record any comments

in the <Comments> field.

Soil Sampling Block:

If the plot is a Tier 2 Plot:

Check the Soil Sampling Block Core Samples: In the Tier

2 Sampling Block section, check the box for

each soil sample (upper 10 cm sample and lower 20

cm sample) for against each of Soil Sampling Blocks

(north east, south east, south west and north west)

in the <Upper 10 cm sample check> and

<Lower 20 cm sample check> fields. Record

any comments in the <Comments> field including

changes in distance from Sample Point Location.

0.5 m x 0.5 m Sampling Quadrants:

If the plot is a Tier 1 plot:

Record the locations of 0.5 m x 0.5 m Sampling Quadrants: In the tier 1 0.5 m x 0.5 m

Sampling Quadrants section, check four boxes

to record the distance along each east and west

transect in the <Sample Location (check)>

field. Against each checked <Sample Location

(check)> box, check boxes under the <Surface

litter sample>, <Soil sample (0-10 cm)

(check)> and <Soil sample (10-30 cm)

(check)> fields, for each surface litter and soil

sample taken and bagged. Record any comments in

the <Surface litter sample comments>, <

Soil sample (0-10 cm) comments> and

<Soil sample (10-30 cm) comments> fields.

If the Plot is a Tier 2 plot:

Check the Tier 2 0.5 m x 0.5 m Quadrant Litter Samples: In the Tier 2 0.5 m x 0.5 m quadrant

section, check the boxes under the <Surface

litter sample> field, against each of the

quadrant locations (north east, south east, south

west and north west) for each surface litter and soil

sample taken and bagged.

Check the Tier 2 0.5 m x 0.5 m Quadrant Soil Samples: In the Tier 2 0.5 m x 0.5 m quadrant section,

check the boxes under the <Soil sample (0-10

cm) check>, <Soil sample (10-20 cm)

check>, <Soil sample (20-30 cm) check>,

against each of the quadrant locations (north east,

south east, south west and north west), for each

vertical soil sample extracted and bagged.

Post-Fire Recovery Form Section 2 –

Recording Measurements for Years 2, 3, 4 & 5

Plot Identification

Complete the Identification section at the top of

each page in the Post-Fire Recovery Form: Fill in the

Sample Point Identification Code, Bioregion, Date,

the SOP version number, Contractor Company Name

and the Names of each Contractor Field Crew

member present, in the <Sample Point ID>,

<Bioregion>, <Date>, <SOP version> and

<Contractor Company> fields. Against each

<Field Crew Member #> fill in the Contractor

Field Crew member surname in the <Contractor

Field Crew Member Surname> field and first



name in the <Contractor Field Crew Member

First Name> field. The Contractor Field Crew

Leader should be the first name recorded in the

Identification section of each page in the form.

The crew member who enters information in the

form (i.e. the scribe) should check the box

<Scribe> next to their name.

Small Tree Plot

Record all tree species: In the Small Tree Count

section of the Small Tree Plot page in the Post-Fire

Recovery Form, record the name of each live species

and dead species name in the <Species Name>

field.





Record the number of all tree species: In the Small

Tree Count section, record the frequency of living

and dead trees in the <Live Count> and <Dead

Count> fields. Add the number of living and dead

trees for each species and record in the <Total>

field.

If there are no small trees within the Small Tree Plot,

check the box in the <No small trees present>

field so that an audit of the data will not confuse an

absence of data for a failure to assess the parameter.







<Comments> field.






in <Date entered>.

Vegetation Quadrats

Record the maximum tree or shrub height: In the

Height and Total Projected Foliage and

Woody Species Cover section of the Vegetation

Quadrat page in the Post-Fire Recovery Form, record

the maximum height (in cm, to the nearest cm) of

the tallest living tree or shrub species for each

quadrat in the <Height of the tallest tree>

field.

Record total projected foliage cover and woody species

cover: For each quadrat, record the total projected foliage cover in the <% Total projected

foliage cover> field and woody species cover in

the <% Woody species cover> field.

Record all understorey species: In the Understorey

Species Count section, record the scientific

binomial name of every vascular (non-tree) and

every tree species less than 1.3 m in height for each

quadrat in the <Species Name> field and the

frequency of each tree species corresponding to the

relevant species name. Understorey species in

quadrats do not include small trees being counted as

recruits.





Record the percentage cover of ground parameters: In the Ground Cover section, record the percentage

ground cover to the nearest 1% for each quadrat.

Record the percentage cover of bare ground in <%

Bare ground>. Record the percentage cover of

rock in <% Rock>. Record the percentage cover of

mosses and liverworts in <% Mosses &

liverworts>. Record the percentage cover of

lichen in <% Lichen>. Record the percentage cover

of fine litter in <% Fine litter>. Record the

percentage cover of medium litter in <% Medium

litter>. Record the percentage cover of charcoal

in <% Charcoal>. Record the percentage cover of

other parameters in <% Other> and describe the

parameter in the <Other description> field.

Record the composition of medium and fine litter: In the Medium and Fine Litter Composition

section, record the percentage of both medium and

fine litter composed of the corresponding class of

component in the <Component Class> field.

Record the depth of fine litter: In the Fine Litter

Depth section, record the four measurements taken

for depth of fine litter (to the nearest cm).

Record the number of stems of new recruits of woody species: In the Woody Species New Recruit

section, record the scientific binomial name of every

new recruit of woody species for each quadrat in the

<Species Name> field and note the number of

stems of new recruits of woody species adjacent to

the relevant species name. Record stem count for

those woody species rooted within the quadrat only

and not overhanging woody species recruits.





Record the life-stage of woody species: In the Woody

Species Life-Stages section, record the

scientific binomial name of all woody species for each

quadrat in the <Species Name> field, and record

the life-stage of each individual woody species using

(J) for juvenile plants, (M) for reproductively mature



plants, and (S) for senescing or dying plants adjacent

to the relevant species name.





Record any site related comments: Record any additional information relating to the plot in the <Comments>

field





<Comments> field.






in <Date entered>.

Large Tree Plot

Record LTP slope adjusted radius: On the Large Tree Plot

page in the Post-Fire Recovery Form, record the

slope adjusted LTP radius in the <Slope


Tree Mensuration:

Enter the number of tagged trees in each quadrant: In the Tree Mensuration section of the Large Tree

Plot page in the Post-Fire Recovery Form, after

marking out quadrants and tagging trees, record the

tag codes of all tagged trees under the <Tree Tag

Code> field. Record the tree tag codes in ascending

order, starting with NE01…NE02 etc. followed by SE,

SW and NW tree tag codes.

Record the Tree Status of each tagged tree: In the Tree


code, record each tree as either LS (Live Standing),

LF (Live Fallen) or DS (Dead Standing) in the <Tree

Status> field.

Record Tree Death: In the Tree Mensuration section,

against tagged trees recorded as Dead Standing (under <Tree Status>), record the probable cause

of death in the <Tree Death> field.

Record Tree Species: In the Tree Mensuration


the tree species in the <Tree Species> field.





Record Tree Crown Class: In the Tree Mensuration


the crown class in the <Crown Class> field.

Record Tree Characteristics: In the Tree Mensuration

section, against the relevant tree tag code, check

one of more tree characteristics (e.g. bent over, near

dead, head out etc.) which best characterise and

describe the tagged tree and may be useful for

identifying the tree in the future.

Record the DBH of each tagged tree: In the Tree


code (recorded above) record the diameter (in cm, to

the nearest 0.1 cm) in the <DBH> field. Calculate

averages around branches and swellings prior to

recording the DBH.

Rank the DBH of each Live Standing tagged tree: In the Tree Mensuration section, rank the DBH in the

<DBH Rank> field of each Live Standing (under

<Tree Status>) tagged tree.

Record the height of the three largest DBH tagged trees: In the Tree Mensuration section, against the

relevant tree tag codes, record the heights (in cm, to

the nearest centimetre) of the three largest DBH

trees in the entire LTP in the <Tree height> field.

Identify and record the heights of five other trees across

the range of diameters in the LTP: Check every nth number in the list of ranks under the <DBH Range

Five> field, and make a note of its tree tag number.

In the <Tree Height> field, record the heights of

the 5 selected trees.

Tree Canopy Cover:

Record Observer Names: In the Tree Canopy Cover

section, fill in Observer 1’s name in the <Observer

Name> field and fill in Observer 2’s name in the

<Observer Name> field.

Record Canopy or Sky Count for each direction: In the Tree Canopy Cover section, record the count for

canopy or sky cover made by both Observer’s 1 and

2. When a Canopy Count is made, record the value

for each direction (north, east, south, west) in the

<Canopy Count> field and record a dash (-) in the

<Sky Count> field for the same direction. When a

Sky Count is made, record the value for each

direction (north, east, south, west) in the <Sky

Count> field and Canopy Count is calculated (= 96 –

Sky Count) and recorded in the <Canopy Count>

field for the same direction.

Calculate and record each Observer’s Subtotal: In the Tree Canopy Cover section, calculate the sum of

each observer’s <Canopy Counts> and enter in the

<Observer Subtotal> field.

Calculate and record the grand total Canopy Count: In the Tree Canopy Cover section, calculate the sum

of each observer’s subtotal and enter in the <Grand

Total Canopy Count> field.

Calculate and record the average Canopy Cover: In Tree

Canopy Cover section, calculate the average

canopy cover by multiplying the <Grand Total

Canopy Count> by 0.13 and enter it in the

<Average Canopy Cover %> field.



Tree Canopy Health:

Record the amount of epicormics present on each Height


the percentage of epicormic shoots present on the

entire tree in 5% levels in the <Epicormics

Present> field.

Record the proportion of dieback present in each Height


the percentage of dieback observed in the entire tree

in 5% levels and record in the <Proportion of

Dieback> field.

Measure and record the length of dead top present in

each Height Tree: In the Tree Canopy Health

section, enter the length of the dead top (in metres),

if present, in the <Length of Dead Top> field.

Record the amount of crown defoliated in each Height Tree: In the Tree Canopy Health section, identify

the percentage of crown defoliated in 5% levels and

record in the <Crown Defoliated> field.

Record the amount of canopy density in each Height

Tree: In the Tree Canopy Health section, identify

the percentage of canopy density in 5% levels and

record in the <Canopy Density> field.

Record the crown clumping score in each Height Tree: In


clumping code that best describes the tree in the

<Canopy Clumping Score> field.

Record the amount of crown discolouration in each

Height Tree: In the Tree Canopy Health section,

identify the percentage of crown discoloured in 5%

levels and record in the <Crown Discoloured>

field.

Record the position of the crown in each Height Tree: In


position code that best describes the crowns

relationship to its neighbouring tree in the <Crown

Position> field.

Record any comments: Identify any site specific variables making the site distinguishable in the Comments

section. Record any additional information relating to

the plot or plot surrounds that are individual to that

plot in this field.





<Comments> field.






in <Date entered>.

Course Woody Debris (CWD) without Stumps

Record LTP slope adjusted radius: On the Course Woody

Debris page in the Post-Fire Recovery Form, record

the slope adjusted LTP radius in the <Slope


Record the length and proportion of charring of each CWD piece: In the Coarse Woody Debris section,

enter the length for each separate piece of CWD

corresponding to the appropriate <Diameter

Class>, <Level of Decay or Structural

Change> and <Proportion of Charring>.

If there is no CWD, check the box in the <No Course

Woody Debris> field so that an audit of the data



Record the dimensions of any piles of slash and its average level of decay: In the Slash Pile section,

record in metres (to the nearest 0.1 m) the height of

the slash pile in the <Height> field, the width pile

in the <Width> field and the length of the slash pile

in the <Length> field. Record the average level of

decay of the slash pile in the <Decay Class> field.

If there is no pile of slash, check the box in the <No

Slash Pile Present> field so that an audit of

the data will not confuse an absence of data for a

failure to assess the parameter.







<Comments> field.






in <Date entered>.



Version (current) Version (previous) Author Date Summary of changes

1.0 AA01 DD/MM/YYYY

1.0 1.0 MW0A 24/03/2011 Inclusion of data and information recording section consistent with procedures

1.0 1.0 MW0A 19/04/2011 Edits following field testing, 15/04

1.0 1.0 MW0A 20/04/2011 Minor edits to incorporate comments by AM1K

1.0 1.0 MW0A 21/4/2011 Minor edits to incorporate comments by Lauren Bennet

1.1 1.0 MW0A 04/07/2011 Amendments made post field season 1

Endorsed

Date 28/04 /11

Name: Kristen Thrum

Position: Acting Team Leader, Forests and Parks Monitoring and Reporting

Division/Branch: Forests and Parks Division / Management and Operations Branch



Standard Operating Procedure 16A

Measuring Post-Fire Forest Recovery

Appendix 16A.1

Course Woody Debris Reference Pictures

Figure 1. Advanced decay/ structural change,

moderate charring

Figure 2. Advanced decay/structural change, severe

charring

Figure 3. Moderate decay/ structural change, no

charring

Figure 4. Moderate decay/ structural change,

severe charring

Figure 5. Sound decay/ structural change,

moderate charring

Standard Operating Procedure 16A Measuring Post-fire ...

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